Ensuring you get the most out of your dental insurance policy requires some thought.
- Understanding what dental insurance offers is not only essential but also empowering. Each dental insurance company has its unique policy, so it’s crucial to remember that there’s no ‘one size fits all ‘ insurance policy. By gaining this knowledge, you can feel confident and in control of your dental insurance decisions.
- Dental insurance policies pay out differently from company to company. Knowing how an insurance company pays claims will give the patient much information about how a policy works.
- Know PPO, DHMO, Medicare, Medicaid, and indemnity dental plans. Don’t worry; this blog post will explain everything!
- Know your individual and your family’s dental needs. Everyone will need routine X-rays and cleanings. Everyone may not need braces, dental implants, or wisdom teeth removed.
- Know what your dental office will accept. Simply ask the office manager before your appointment, and they will review what is and is not covered.
Insurance is a math problem. The factors are the insurance company, yourself and your family, and what your dentist’s office will accept. Understand the factors, and you will better understand dental insurance coverage.
What is a PPO?
PPO stands for Preferred Provider Organization.
In a PPO, insurance companies will contract with dentists (providers) who agree to discounted service rates.
Typically, a PPO will offer these benefits to the patient:
- 100% coverage for preventative and diagnostic procedures
- 80% coverage for basic dental procedures
- 50% coverage for major dental procedures
- 50% for orthodontics
- A maximum the dental plan will pay in a year such as $1500 or $2000 PPOs keep costs under control as the savings pass on to patients.
What is a DHMO?
DHMO stands for Dental Health Maintenance Organization.
A DHMO controls costs even more than a PPO by limiting service to only chosen dentists with a scheduled rate of fees.
In addition to a premium, patients pay a preset co-payment for services. As a result, costs are predictable for the insurance company and the patient.
A vital feature of a DHMO is the predictability of costs. This aspect makes DHMOs a popular choice for many patients, providing a sense of reassurance and security about their dental expenses.
DHMOs are often called capitation plans. Every patient pays a monthly fee to the dentist’s office. The cost remains the same every month. The insurance company then pays the dentist’s office those fees. The monthly fee the insurance company
pays is called a capitation check. As a result, you pay a set amount each month, regardless of how often you visit the dentist or the services you receive.
The downside of a DHMO is that services are only paid for if the dentist is a network member.
What is Dental Indemnity Insurance?
A dental indemnity insurance plan reimburses a patient, on a limited basis, for services rendered by their dentist.
The insurance company defines “usual, customary, and reasonable” (UCR). UCR fees are the amount healthcare providers in your area typically charge for a service. Since the insurance company creates the cost of UCR, fees can vary from one company to another.
Dental indemnity insurance plans do not limit patients’ choice of dentists. Patients are free to choose any dentist but are only entitled to payment for services as set by the insurance company.
Does Medicare have dental insurance?
Unfortunately, Medicare does not cover dental care. Read more about Medicare here.
Is there a group dental insurance that is like group medical insurance?
The answer is yes and no. Group dental insurance does exist, but it is up to your employer to offer this as a benefit. Group dental insurance is a type of dental insurance typically offered through employers or other organizations. It often provides more coverage at a lower cost than individual dental insurance. Check with your human resources department to see if this benefit is available.
If you have group dental insurance, it will work the same way an individual dental insurance policy would. There will be a premium, deductibles, co-pays, etc.
There is no one-size-fits-all type of group dental insurance policy. There are hundreds of choices on the market. Within one insurance company, there can be several choices of group dental insurance that your employer can choose from.
Read your policy and direct questions to your human resource department or the insurance company before you visit your dentist.
What is COBRA dental insurance?
COBRA, or the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, stipulates:
- Employees for companies with 20 or more employees can continue coverage after employment with the company
- Benefits are available to employees who quit, are laid off, or are fired.
The former employee will be required to pay a premium to the insurance company. The premium can be expensive for employees, as their employer was most likely paying a large portion or all of their premium when the company employed them.
The insurance provider will contact the former employee with information on obtaining coverage through COBRA.
What is a dental insurance waiting period?
The Affordable Care Act mandates that the waiting period for a group dental or medical insurance policy can be 90 days at maximum.
A waiting period is when a dental insurance policy does not cover some or all services.
The waiting period includes preexisting conditions. For example, if you have a missing tooth, you must wait 90 days before coverage for treatment begins.
What is full coverage dental insurance?
Full coverage dental insurance is a term people misuse.
In reality, there is no such thing as full coverage dental insurance.
Everyone is different, so everyone’s dental insurance needs are different. A young family may need coverage for braces, while an older person may be interested in coverage for dental implants for missing teeth.
Most dental insurance plans cover the basics, such as six-month cleanings, X-rays, and checkups. Beyond the basics, you should know your policy before going to the dentist.
What is a dental savings plan?
A dental savings plan is sometimes called a dental discount plan.
Joining a dental savings plan usually involves a fee. The cost is to administer the plan’s network of dentists.
Dentists within the network agree to charge discounted services. These services can vary from plan to plan but have features such as:
- Prescription benefits
- Wellness benefits
- Expanded network benefits.
A dental savings plan is much like purchasing a Costco membership. After purchasing your plan, you receive discounts on merchandise. With a dental savings plan, you receive discounts on dental services rendered.
How long can an adult child stay on a parent’s dental insurance?
Some states mandate that adult children receive coverage from a parent’s dental insurance policy at 26.
Coverage applies even if you are:
- Married
- Become a parent
- Living outside of your parent’s home
- Attending school
- Covered by another from your employment (double coverage) ● Not financially dependent on your parents
Is oral surgery covered under medical or dental insurance?
There is no one-size-fits-all medical or dental insurance coverage for oral surgery. Four items determine coverage for oral surgery.
- Your medical insurance. Medical insurance can have some coverage for oral surgery for complicated procedures such as wisdom teeth removal, tissue biopsies, correction of facial deformities, or cancer-related issues.
- Your dental insurance. Dental insurance will list available coverage. Diagnostics are usually covered, but oral surgery will fall under medical insurance.
- Your dentist. Your dentist will determine if oral surgery is necessary. Your insurance company may exclude your dentist after diagnostics are rendered, so knowing what your insurance covers is essential.
- You. After considering all the above, you make the final decision.
As with any surgery, discuss what coverage is before the surgery. Check with your provider’s office and your insurance company.
What is the maximum a dental insurance policy will pay?
The maximum payout for most dental insurance policies is usually $1000 to $2000 annually. Read your policy to find out what your maximum payout is.
That said, most people do not hit those limits in a year.
Can two dental insurance policies cover you?
Yes, but there are a few things you need to know.
First, one plan is designated as the primary insurance. This insurance is billed first. Second, the other plan pays on the balance.
Two dental policies are not uncommon. For example, a person can have two jobs or be covered by a spouse or parent’s policy.
Your plan will have a Coordination of Benefits (COB) provision. Consult your plan, which will direct you on how to execute your COB.
What is a direct reimbursement plan?
A direct reimbursement plan is not an insurance plan run by an insurance company. Your employer runs a direct reimbursement plan.
A direct reimbursement plan typically pays out between $1000 to $1500 annually. A typical plan will pay out as follows:
- 100% on the first $100 spent on dental services
- 80% of the next $500 spent on dental services
- 50% on the next $1000 of dental services.
Some plans are structured to pay for dental services directly to the provider. Check your plan to determine payment.
What is a schedule or table of allowance dental program?
A schedule or table allowance dental plan often supplements a primary dental insurance program.
Dental services reimburse up to the maximum scheduled amount specified in advance. With an organized plan, you know exactly how much the plan will pay in advance.
What is the difference between a copay and a deductible?
A copay (or copayment) is a small fee you pay every time you visit the dentist’s office or for every prescription filled at the pharmacy.
Copay fees will be listed on the patient’s insurance card.
Your insurer can require a deductible in addition to a copay. The deductible is a set amount based on services used during the year. Insurance plans are often structured to require a copay and a deductible.
What is coinsurance?
There are four times when the patient may have to pay out of pocket for dental-related services.
- You or your employers pay your premium. Your insurance company requires a monthly payment to purchase your dental insurance policy. ● Copayments are sometimes required. Some plans require a small copayment due when your provider renders services.
- Deductibles pay up to a set amount. A deductible is your share of the cost of actual services provided. You will only pay the specified amount in a year. For example, if your deductible is $250, you will pay the first $250 for dental service that year.
- Coinsurance reimburses on the percentage of services provided. Once you pay your deductible, you may be required to pay a percentage of the balance. For example, if your coinsurance is 20% and you have a $ 1,000 dental bill, you would pay $200 after the deductible, and your insurance company would pay $800.
Coinsurance is not part of every policy, and all the above vary from one insurance company to another. Make sure you read your policy and ask your insurance company to review any questions you may have regarding payment.
What is a preexisting condition?
A preexisting condition is something you were already diagnosed with before the beginning of your insurance plan. Fixing the condition may not be covered after a period or may be excluded altogether from coverage by the insurer.
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) outlawed preexisting conditions for medical conditions. It is important to remember that the ACA was written with medical insurance in mind and should not be confused with dental insurance.
Most dental care is designed to be preventative. Dentists aim to prevent conditions such as tooth decay or gum disease. As a result, dental insurance aims to facilitate preventative care.
For example, many dental insurance plans have a missing tooth clause. Replacing that tooth would require a dental implant or a bridge. A dental insurance policy may exclude those conditions since they already occurred and are not preventable. In this example, you must pay the expense out of your pocket.
What is a waiting period?
When listing a preexisting condition in an insurance plan, a period designates what the insurance company will not pay for services. For example, your policy may state that you must wait six months for treatments such as a root canal or crown will be covered.
In addition, prosthetics such as crowns and dentures often have waiting periods. Insurance companies will require up to five years for crowns and dentures. For example, if you received a crown three years ago, you would have to wait two more years before a policy would pay for a replacement crown.
Make sure you know what your waiting periods are in your dental insurance policy.
What does “usual, customary, and reasonable (UCR)” mean in an insurance policy?
Usual, customary, and reasonable (UCR) considers what providers charge for fees in a given geographic area.
For example, in New York City, where rents and other overhead are more costly, UCR would be higher. In a rural area where overhead is lower, the UCR would reflect lower charges.
UCR is an approximate amount. As a result, one insurance company may have a different definition of UCR than another. The definitive answer is your individual insurer’s definition.
Does dental insurance cover everything my dentist recommends?
Dental insurance generally covers preventive care of the teeth and gums. Coverage includes routine cleanings, exams, X-rays, and cavities.
Cosmetic services such as teeth whitening or crowns are usually not covered.
Even though a dentist performs specific procedures routinely, your dental insurance covers those services.
Does dental insurance cover wisdom teeth removal?
Check your plan for wisdom tooth removal benefits.
Typically, those benefits provide 50% to 80% of the cost. Just remember copays, deductibles, and coinsurance can be part of your share of the cost.
Medical insurance can also offer benefits if an oral surgeon is required. If dental and medical insurance are combined, you may have the cost of wisdom teeth removal fully covered.
Consult your dental and medical provider to see what benefits are available for wisdom teeth removal.
Does dental insurance cover braces?
Usually, braces are not covered by a dental insurance policy, although some policies offer nominal benefits. Purchasing a dental insurance policy for braces-only coverage would not be worth it.
A strategic way to pay for braces could be through a savings plan. Braces are considered cosmetic and, as such, are not covered by dental insurance.
Take Away Tips
Dental insurance varies from insurance company to insurance company. Remember that dental insurance is also legally administered by states. As a result, dental insurance from the same insurance company in different states can vary.
Make sure you read your policy yourself. The insurance company for a group or individual policy will have customer service that can help answer questions.
For a group dental insurance policy, your human resource department can help answer questions about your work-provided dental insurance.
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